Compare StayFocusd and TimeOWare: Which Extension is the Best?

	StayFocusd	TimeOWare
	StayFocusd helps you block distracting websites with customizable time limits, nuclear mode, and smart scheduling. We tested this 600K+ user extension to see if it really boosts productivity. Todo & Task Management Time Management	TimeOWare helps you track and manage your online time easily. With its simple design and easy website blocking, TimeOWare is a valuable tool for enhancing digital well-being. Time Management Productivity
Key Features	• Website Time Limits: Set daily time limits for specific websites to control your usage • Nuclear Option: Block all websites except those on your allowed list for a set period • Customizable Blocking: Block entire sites, specific pages, or even in-page content like videos and images • Active Days/Hours: Define specific days and times when restrictions apply • Require Challenge: Enable a typing challenge to prevent easy changes to settings • YouTube Shorts Blocker: Block distracting components on YouTube, including shorts, comments, and recommendations • Usage Analytics: Get detailed statistics about your daily website usage • Cross-Device Sync: Connect Android devices and other browsers to sync usage limits	Time Tracking: Easily see how much time you spend on each website. Daily Usage Stats: Get a clear overview of your daily online activity. Website Blocking: Block distracting sites with a simple click. Privacy-Focused: No data is transmitted; everything stays on your device. Open Source: Check out the code on GitHub for transparency.
Our Rating	8.5	8.5
Total users	617,582	269
Total ratings	8,473	3
Average rating	4.7 ⭐	5.0 ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Chrome	4.5 8.4K+ ratings 600.0K+Users	5.0 3 ratings 269Users
Edge	5.0 24 ratings 17.6K+Users	-
Firefox	-	-
Safari	-	-
Features	8.2 StayFocusd packs a solid set of productivity features. You can flexibly set website time limits, block domains, pages, or just distracting content (like videos or images). The “nuclear option” blocks everything except your allowed sites, which is a great focus booster. YouTube blocking targets shorts and recommendations, and usage analytics help you spot your browsing patterns. Cross-device sync is handy, though some advanced controls could be improved.	7.0 TimeOWare offers basic functions for checking the time spent on websites. These include time recording on websites, where the percentage of total time taken up by each website is displayed directly in real-time in a statistic. Another feature is the blocking of websites. Websites can easily be blocked manually if you think that you no longer want to use this website. Here we would like to see the manual blocking of websites. However, it lacks advanced features such as detailed analytics or customizable alerts that some users may find useful. Nevertheless, the core features are well implemented and serve the main purpose of improving digital well-being.
Performance	8.4 The extension is lightweight and responsive, without slowing your browser. Features work reliably, and time limits activate quickly. Minor lags occur in the analytics dashboard and cross-device sync, but overall, performance is smooth and stable for day-to-day use.	9.0 TimeOWare works reliably, with no noticeable slowdowns or performance issues during use. The extension runs in the background and provides real-time updates on time spent without affecting browser speed.
Design	8.3 The interface is simple and minimalist, sticking to productivity basics. Settings are well-organized and easy to navigate, with clear controls and indicators. While functional and easy to use, the look is a little dated and the analytics dashboard could be more engaging. It’s practical but not stylish.	7.5 The design of TimeOWare is clear and intuitive, making it easy to find your way around immediately. All available functions can be used directly. The minimalist interface ensures that users are clearly shown which websites may pose problems for their digital well-being. In our tests, however, we found that there could be a little more customization options to adapt the displays to our own needs.
Value for Money	9.5 All features are free—no ads, paywalls, or premium tiers. The feature set rivals paid competitors and includes regular updates. There’s great value for anyone seeking basic to moderate website blocking, though free tools like this sometimes lack advanced paid support.	9.0 As a completely free tool, TimeOWare offers excellent value for money as it provides essential time management features at no cost whatsoever. The open-source nature of the extension also adds value as it allows users to review and modify the code if desired. The only reason it doesn't get full marks is that some features offered by competitors are not yet available.
Ease of Use	8.5 Set up is fast and all main functions are accessible with just a few clicks. Adding sites or setting limits is straightforward, and tooltips help if you need them. The nuclear option and challenge features are easy to use but offer enough resistance to accidental changes. Mobile integration is available, though setup there could be smoother. It’s user-friendly with almost no learning curve.	8.5 TimeOWare is easy to use, with little set-up time. Once installed, it starts tracking time immediately. Likewise, the limited settings are self-explanatory and should be easy for anyone to understand. In our tests, we noticed that if several tabs are opened next to each other, they are also added up in the extension at the same time. The total number of hours is therefore higher than the actual number in the browser. This can be somewhat confusing for new users.
Security & Privacy	7.9 StayFocusd runs mostly on your device and collects very little personal data. The privacy policy is transparent, and data for analytics is anonymized. The extension only requests required permissions, though some users may still worry about the broad “read and change all your data” permission. No tracking cookies or web beacons are used.	10 TimeOWare is characterized by security and privacy, as it does not transmit any user data to the outside world and all information is only stored offline on the user's device. This privacy-focused approach is a key benefit for users who are concerned about data security. Users can also check the code used on GitHub themselves if they have any concerns.
Conclusion	StayFocusd delivers on its promise to help you stay focused, but it's not a magic solution. We found it most effective when combined with genuine motivation to be more productive. The extension works best for people who want to reduce mindless browsing but still need occasional access to social media or entertainment sites. The free price tag makes StayFocusd an easy recommendation for anyone struggling with online distractions. While it won't solve deep productivity issues, it creates enough friction to make you more conscious of your browsing habits. The nuclear option is particularly useful for intense work sessions, and the customizable blocking options give you fine-grained control over your digital environment. If you're serious about improving your focus and don't mind the occasional frustration when you hit a time limit, StayFocusd is worth trying. Just remember that the most important part of any productivity tool is actually wanting to be more productive.	TimeOWare is a great choice for anyone who wants to manage their online time more effectively and realize how much time is spent on websites. Its simple design and privacy-focused approach make it, in our opinion, a standout option in the time management space. We felt in testing that a little more customization and even more features could further improve the extension. Overall, however, we think TimeOWare is already a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their digital well-being.
	Install StayFocusd	Install TimeOWare
Our Recommendation	In our comparison between StayFocusd and TimeOWare, all extensions performed equally well, each scoring 8.5. StayFocusd is the most widely used, with over 618k users and 8k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for StayFocusd reflect our findings, while we rate TimeOWare lower than users do. Notably, TimeOWare has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 5.00, which is even higher than our rating of 8.5. In the end, the differences between these extensions are minimal, so your choice may come down to personal preference or specific features. Looking for the richest feature set? StayFocusd stands out with a rating of 8.2. On the other hand, TimeOWare lags behind in this area with a rating of 7. Need top performance? TimeOWare stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, StayFocusd lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.4. Design lovers, take note: StayFocusd stands out with a rating of 8.3. On the other hand, TimeOWare lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5. Want to get the most for your money? StayFocusd stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, TimeOWare lags behind in this area with a rating of 9. Ease of use? It's a tie: StayFocusd and TimeOWare. In the Ease of Use category, StayFocusd has scored a very good 8.5. It is user-friendly, though there may be a small learning curve for some users. With privacy and security becoming ever more important, TimeOWare stands out with a rating of 10. On the other hand, StayFocusd lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.9. There's no single winner, so check the categories above to find your best fit.